May-July 2015 Paint Colors

Because we shoot in real homes, we are not always at liberty to paint the walls. In those cases, we have chosen paint colors that best match the wall color in the photo. Please be aware that color may vary due to various light conditions, finish and other factors. Therefore, it’s always a great idea to test a paint sample on your wall first. We use Benjamin Moore paint, but most paint stores can match any color.

Summer calls for color! And there’s certainly no shortage of color in our Summer Catalog. We were inspired by cool blues and greens, and as always a healthy dose of neutrals.

We enjoy spending days interacting with How to Decorate readers. From answering Design Dilemmas to writing How To articles and working with guest designers, our passion is to provide informative and accurate resources to help people solve their design problems.

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16 Comments

Jane

August 2, 2015

Looking to do dining and living rooms with colors around your Kasler Ikat area rug in tan and Aqua. Ohio home with east and south windows. Need to combine tan, Aqua, and white paint colors between the two rooms. Thinking of Aqua walls in living room with white shades and white below chair rail in dining room with tan above. I’m fearful of getting the right Aqua …not too darlk. Thoughts?

Caroline @ How to Decorate

August 3, 2015

Hi Jane,
This sounds absolutely lovely! We love the idea of aqua above the chair rail in your dining room and white below — fresh and elegant! Our best suggestion for getting the right paint would be to go one shade lighter than the color you like best on the paint chip. Or if you love a particular color, have the paint store lighten in by 25-50%. Once you get a room full of the color, it will appear much darker and more vibrant, so air on the side of lighter than you want. Also, we can’t recommend testing a ton of paint colors enough. Choose 5-6 paint colors at the store, buy small samples sizes, and test large swatches on your wall. That’s really the only way you’ll be able to get a good read on the color and how it works in your space. Paint colors can look SO different from room to room, so before you paint be sure to test, test, test!
Best of luck,
The How to Decorate Team

cgc

Caroline @ How to Decorate

Patty

June 18, 2015

I have a very traditional cherry dining room set and I really want to update the dining room. Currently, the chairs are burgundy and gold stripe, the walls are a light golden yellow and I know I need to change the brass chandelier. It seems very difficult to try to update this room and any thoughts would be appreciated. I love Ballard Designs and have been a customer for quite a while. Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

Caroline @ How to Decorate

July 31, 2015

Hi Patty,
We could definitely help you come up with a few ways to update your dining room without changing it completely! Simply complete this form (don’t forget to include photos and measurements!), and our design team will contact you with a plan and next steps!
The How to Decorate Team

Tara

Caroline @ How to Decorate

July 22, 2015

Hi Tara,
Felicity is a great fabric to be matching to as it would work with both grays and light taupes. We think any natural fiber rug would work well, or solid rugs or carpeting in either light gray or beige!
Best of luck.

Susn

Caroline @ How to Decorate

June 1, 2015

Hi Susan,
We typically favor a more neutral wall color if you’re using a colorful rug. A very light gray or a creamy white would be pretty. We suggest going to the paint store and picking a couple of different options and trying samples on your wall before making your final decision. Once you’ve painted the samples on the wall, hold your inspiration rug up to the wall to see what looks best with it!
Best of Luck,
The How to Decorate Team

Karen

May 28, 2015

Wow that Bachelor Blue looks nothing like it does in the catalog!! In print it’s a beautiful blue grey. ON my computer it looks like a vivid baby boy blue color. Again the importance of checking samples before you buy.

Caroline @ How to Decorate

May 29, 2015

Yes, Karen. You’re very right. Colors can be very different from swatch to wall to computer screen! It’s so, so important to look at samples and try a swatch on your wall before making a final decision.
We hope you found a color that will work for you though!
The How to Decorate Team